Renae Kunst: 'I am a rig and I do not dance'

Renae Kunst’s former teammates will be "horrified" and impressed, all at the same time, at news she's putting her dancing shoes on. 

The Queensland Rugby League North region manager has long since hung up the boots, but the former Queensland and Jillaroos forward will instead put her dancing shoes on next month for the Mackay Hospital Foundation’s Dancing with Heart fundraising dinner.

Kunst will represent QRL alongside representatives of seven local organisations, raising money to assist patients and staff at the hospital where she born.

While she was never going to decline an invitation to help the Mackay Hospital Foundation, Kunst had no idea she would be jumping well out of her comfort zone with her “two left feet”.

“I was thinking I was going to a dinner as a guest speaker, or trying to arrange promotional gear or a jersey and then I got my brief, and it’s basically a two-minute dance routine on March 31 in conjunction with a Mackay Hospital Foundation dinner,” Kunst said.

“I am a rig and I do not dance. But it’s fun, it’s for an amazing cause and when we as a game get to contribute to community impact and support, why wouldn’t we get behind it?”

Luckily Kunst and the rest of the dance crew will have six lessons with Fame Talent School teacher and local legend Dolly Louw to prepare.

The first was last week.

“I told Dolly she’s got her work cut out with me, and I won’t give away what song I’m dancing to but in the hour I had with her, I had such a great time and she made me feel at ease,” Kunst said.

The task ahead has Kunst reminiscing about a group dance routine teambuilding exercise while playing for the Jillaroos, where her lack of skill compared to the likes of hip-hop dance trained Elliana Walton was exposed.

“I must ensure to let her know I’m doing a two-minute solo. I’d love to see her face while I’m doing it, because she would be horrified,” Kunst said.

Mackay Hospital Foundation activities fund ancillary equipment, projects, research and educational opportunities for staff to improve patient care in the region.

To support fundraising efforts, donate here.